Our Father, we are recognizing how easy it is to be calloused to Your greatest and most abundantly given gift–Yourself. Forgive us for attitudes and actions which have gone from simple appreciation for Your richest spiritual blessings to expecting then demanding what amounts to the most meager crumb. We are ashamed. Would You remove the calluses of our cold hearts? Would You stir up within us faith that recognizes Your mercies are new every morning? Great is Your faithfulness!

Today’s Hymn

WHAT’ER MY GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT (Click here for tune.)
Words: Sam­u­el Rod­i­gast, 1676 (Was Gott tut, das ist wohl­ge­tan); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Cath­er­ine Wink­worth, 1863, and others. Ro­di­gast wrote this hymn to cheer his friend Gas­tor­i­us, pre­cent­or at Je­na, who had b­ecome ser­i­ous­ly ill. Gas­tor­i­us not on­ly re­cov­ered, but went on to write the tune for Ro­di­gast’s words.
Music: Gas­tor­i­us, Sev­er­us Gas­tor­i­us, 1675

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it

Read Today’s Passage Online

Thought Provoker

Without knowing the precise occasion of this Psalm, David offered this prayer to the Lord for answered prayer. Prior to verse 1, David might have been going through the motions himself, giving to God “lip service” instead of genuine worship. Maybe David was tempted to sin against God. Or it could be that David doubted the source of faith. Whatever it was, there was a turning point, and David was strengthened in his soul to praise the Lord. Each of David’s responses magnifies God’s person and Word.

1-3, David resolved (or vowed, “I will…”) to let nothing (“with my whole heart,”) interfere with Who he would worship (v. 1), how he worshipped (v. 2), and why (v. 3). The phrase “with my whole heart” leaves no room for mixed motive or divided devotion.

4-6, Determined that God be known among the world’s leaders (v. 4-5), David gives witness that God answered prayer (v. 3), thus demonstrating that even though God is great and “high,” He cares for insignificant men and women (v. 6).

7-8, David refused to let the troubles of his enemies hinder his walk with God. In confident faith, David declared, “the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Paul spoke of this same principle in Philippians 1:6.

Dad’s Study

With hearts sad and harps hung on weeping willow the homesick Jews were mockingly called upon by their captors to sing a joyful song about their God (vs. 1-3). What was their reply? How shall we sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land (v. 4)? To sing Zion songs to the enemy would be to forget Jerusalem (v. 5). It would have been better that their tongues remain silent and never sing again than to forget Jerusalem and entertain Babylon (v. 6). This Psalm closes with a call for God’s righteous wrath upon Babylon. Its destruction was prophesied in Isaiah 13:1-22. Happy will be their destroyer for they would be instruments in the hand of God (v. 9). We should seek mercy for our enemies but those who wickedly mock God and people without repentance will receive judgment and wrath.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Truth in Practice

Family Worship

How is your response to our Lord? Do you find yourself merely going through the motions? Let’s apply the phrase “I will praise Thee with my whole heart” to evaluate just one portion of our week, the Sunday church service.

1. Most Sundays, is your body present for the Lord’s Day services, but your mind elsewhere?
2. Do you sing, but your heart isn’t in it?
3. Was your prayer merely a formality?
4. Did you listen to the Word of God preached, but it had no effect on you?
5. Were you critical of the preacher (or others present) yet had no critique for yourself?

Is it time to get out of the “lip service” routine? “I will praise Thee…the Lord will perfect me.”

Pastor Jim Covington – Bell Gardens Baptist Church, Bell Gardens, CA

Catechism Question : 8
Q. How does God execute his decrees?

A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation (Rev. 4:11), and providence (Dan. 4:35).

Lord, help us to see that every believer can claim that invincible mercy has laid hold on me when God saved me. May this enable us to enter into the repeated, overwhelmed spirit of praise that the Psalmist exemplifies for us in Psalm 136.

Today’s Hymn

WHAT’ER MY GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT (Click here for tune.)
Words: Sam­u­el Rod­i­gast, 1676 (Was Gott tut, das ist wohl­ge­tan); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Cath­er­ine Wink­worth, 1863, and others. Ro­di­gast wrote this hymn to cheer his friend Gas­tor­i­us, pre­cent­or at Je­na, who had b­ecome ser­i­ous­ly ill. Gas­tor­i­us not on­ly re­cov­ered, but went on to write the tune for Ro­di­gast’s words.
Music: Gas­tor­i­us, Sev­er­us Gas­tor­i­us, 1675

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it

Read Today’s Passage Online

Thought Provoker

Do you ever sing one line of a song over and over? We are not to engage in vain repetition, but if we are gripped by a glorious truth and with each expression we truly are grasping the truth and glorifying God, we may sing and rejoice in this unique “one-liner” in the Bible-”His mercy endures forever.”

Dad’s Study

In this Psalm God is praised in four sections because His mercy endures forever.
1) He is praised because He is God above all: vv. 1-3;
2) He is praised because of His wonderful work of creation, vv. 4-9;
3) He is praised because of His wonderful work of delivering Israel out of Egypt, and bringing them to and giving his servants Canaan land as an inheritance, vv. 10-22; and
4) He is praised because of the Psalmist’s sense of God’s pity and deliverance and provision, vv. 23-25 (note the word “us” that is unique to this section).

The conclusion in verse 26 highlights that God is above all-the God of heaven-thus sovereign and invincible. In every line we see that God’s mercy is what brought each blessing to us.

In every section and every verse we hear the refrain: “For His mercy endures forever”. In section one, God’s mercy is seen as the God of gods in that the false, imaginary gods of the other nations have no mercy to give. To be deluded and worship them is to forsake the only mercy there is and to bring yourself under the God-of-mercy’s wrath. Now how foolish is this? (See vv. 1-3).

In section two, God’s mercy is the cause of praise in creation because this mercy is God’s “loyal covenant love” (the Hebrew word hesed). Creation has been called the overflow of God’s goodness. He did not need to create the world but He did out of the overflow of the goodness in Himself and called all of it very good. This declaration that God called it good is to be grasped by man who is made as a receiver of revelation. This goodness is an act of lovingkindness of God toward man and God is to be appreciated and praised for it. This is to keep us from worshipping the creature rather than the Creator. (See verses 4-9).

In the third section, God’s unfailing mercy can easily be discerned as the reason why Israel was delivered from Egypt, carried through the wilderness, and given Canaan for an inheritance. Why? Because they certainly did not deserve it. God blessed them in spite of their frequent murmurings, unbelief, and acts of disobedience. In fact most of those who came out of Egypt just followed the crowd and were not converted. Surely it was God’s ‘external’ mercy that they experienced the outward blessings that they did. However, the saved among them would be the first to admit that they received God’s saving blessings purely from God’s mercy to them as saved sinners. (See verses 10-22).

In the fourth section, the Psalmist speaks for the present remnant of believers and uses the word that speaks of the community of faith-”us.” He speaks for us who are believers today also. We are lowly and nothing in ourselves and have brought ourselves low by our own acts of disobedience. At times, we find ourselves justly and lovingly chastened by God and brought low, but in God’s time he makes joy spring up again and we sing afresh that His mercy endures forever. We can sing this throughout our lives: invincible mercy has prevailed in spite of me again! (See verses 23-25).

The conclusion reminds us that the reason for this bestowal of unfailing mercy is due to God’s sovereign pleasure-He is the God of heaven and thus is not influenced as to the cause of His actions by us who are below Him. This is sovereign, immutable, incomprehensible, and glorious mercy for saved sinners like “us.” (Psalm 136:26).
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Truth in Practice

Family Worship

Can you enter in to the Psalmist’s song? Are you convinced that all the good you receive in life is from God’s mercy? Have you seen God’s faithfulness to continue to be merciful is the root cause of your perseverance in renewing your repentance daily? This is what God’s word in this Psalm calls us to acknowledge! Do you need for God to revive you again? Deal seriously with God in repentance concerning the recent inroads that sin has made into your heart and life. Even this desire to do so is the fruit of God’s continuing mercy to you. Teach your family that the provisions given to you each day are due to God’s continuing undeserved mercy upon all of you, v. 25. Plead for the Sovereign God of heaven (v. 26) to write this song on your heart and life, then give this testimony to His faithfulness-”His mercy endures forever!” Sing it 26 times as the Psalmist did with renewed faith in His faithfulness!

Pastor Gary Carter – Tampa Reformed Baptist Church

Catechism Question : 8
Q. How does God execute his decrees?

A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation (Rev. 4:11), and providence (Dan. 4:35).

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name forever and every (Psalm 145:1) Amen!

Today’s Hymn

WHAT’ER MY GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT (Click here for tune.)
Words: Sam­u­el Rod­i­gast, 1676 (Was Gott tut, das ist wohl­ge­tan); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Cath­er­ine Wink­worth, 1863, and others. Ro­di­gast wrote this hymn to cheer his friend Gas­tor­i­us, pre­cent­or at Je­na, who had b­ecome ser­i­ous­ly ill. Gas­tor­i­us not on­ly re­cov­ered, but went on to write the tune for Ro­di­gast’s words.
Music: Gas­tor­i­us, Sev­er­us Gas­tor­i­us, 1675

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it

Read Today’s Passage Online

Thought Provoker

Many have a mental picture of a map of Iraq from watching recent events of the war. So many events in our Bibles took place in what is now called Iraq. In the north you find the ruins of Jonah’s Nineveh. In the south you find Ur, where Abraham was called by God. In the center of the country along the banks of the Euphrates River was the mighty metropolis of Babylon, where the Jews were taken captive after being torn from their native land. Today, we find the Psalmist sitting along the quiet banks of the Euphrates with fellow captives reflecting with tears their homesick hearts.

Dad’s Study

With hearts sad and harps hung on weeping willow the homesick Jews were mockingly called upon by their captors to sing a joyful song about their God (vs. 1-3). What was their reply? How shall we sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land (v. 4)? To sing Zion songs to the enemy would be to forget Jerusalem (v. 5). It would have been better that their tongues remain silent and never sing again than to forget Jerusalem and entertain Babylon (v. 6). This Psalm closes with a call for God’s righteous wrath upon Babylon. Its destruction was prophesied in Isaiah 13:1-22. Happy will be their destroyer for they would be instruments in the hand of God (v. 9). We should seek mercy for our enemies but those who wickedly mock God and people without repentance will receive judgment and wrath.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Truth in Practice

Family Worship

As children of the New Covenant we find ourselves today in a strange land. We are occupying the enemy’s turf until we enter the New Jerusalem. O how we should long for our heavenly home. In the meantime there are those who surround us, mocking our God, His worship, and followers. May God give us the grace to display charity, compassion, forbearance, forgiveness, and love to the enemies of God.

Today, we hear the world demand that the Church sing to it our songs. It wants to mock them, market them, and reduce them to amusement and entertainment. However, the sacred song is to be sung to God and His people. There is a need in our day for God to raise up “Christian” psalmist who are bold enough to respond, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”

Catechism Question : 8
Q. How does God execute his decrees?

A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation (Rev. 4:11), and providence (Dan. 4:35).

Heavenly Father, illuminate our hearts and minds with the light of Your love that we may know Christ, love Him, and serve Him to Your glory. Amen.

Today’s Hymn

WHAT’ER MY GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT (Click here for tune.)
Words: Sam­u­el Rod­i­gast, 1676 (Was Gott tut, das ist wohl­ge­tan); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Cath­er­ine Wink­worth, 1863, and others. Ro­di­gast wrote this hymn to cheer his friend Gas­tor­i­us, pre­cent­or at Je­na, who had b­ecome ser­i­ous­ly ill. Gas­tor­i­us not on­ly re­cov­ered, but went on to write the tune for Ro­di­gast’s words.
Music: Gas­tor­i­us, Sev­er­us Gas­tor­i­us, 1675

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it

Read Today’s Passage Online

Thought Provoker

There are all kinds of false religions in the world, all claiming they are authentic. It reminds me of the old soft drink commercial where the two leading brands were put side by side in a blind folded taste test. It was designed to convince people that when you tried their brand on the merit of its taste alone it would come out on top. We see that in Psalm 135 today; when we take the true God and set false gods alongside Him the contrast makes it obvious which is real and which is false.

Dad’s Study

Psalm 135 provides us with a contrast between the living God and the dead gods of idolatry. In verses 1-4 the Psalmist praises God for His lovingkindness and mercy. He speaks of His goodness and His sovereign electing love that saves His people. Contrast this to the false gods of idolatry who are harsh and demanding gods that require their subjects to earn their favor, always striving, but never attaining. In verses 5-14 the might works of Jehovah are recounted, beginning with His creation of the earth and holding it all together by His own will (verses 6-7). The Psalmist then recounts God’s mighty deliverance of His people from bondage and their deliverance into the promised land of rest (verses 8-13). The last great work of God to be named is that He judges His people. Some may think of this in a negative sense since judgment has taken on a negative connotation. Although God’s judgment can be terrifying, it can also bring peace. It is God’s judgment of His people in Christ by which we are reconciled to Him and have peace with Him. It is also God’s judgment of unrepentant sinners according to their deeds that brings His wrath upon them. God is glorified when He judges because justice reigns regarding the sinner, but God is glorified even more when he judges His children, because justice is satisfied in Christ and mercy abounds to God’s child. Verses 15-18 speak of the vanity of idols that are nothing more than the inanimate, dead creations of men’s hands. Unlike God, Who speaks, sees, hears and breathes life into man, the blind, deaf and dumb idol can do no such thing. Verse 18 is a frightening verse as it clearly tells us that those who trust in vain idols are just like them – dead. Where the idol is made of inanimate dead wood, stone, or metal the worshipper of idols is dead in his trespasses and sins. Those who are alive in Christ are to bless the Lord, fear the Lord, and praise the Lord (verses 19-21).
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Truth in Practice

Family Worship

Truth in practice is the truth of the first two of the Ten Commandments. We are to have no other Gods before Him and we shall not make for ourselves any idols and worship them. Christ must be first in all things. Christ must come before our family, our jobs, our desires, and even our “ministry.” We must first and foremost desire the person of Jesus Christ (Psalm 73:25) and to know Him personally, intimately, and experientially (Philippians 3:10) by grace through faith and persevering in that faith.

Catechism Question : 8
Q. How does God execute his decrees?

A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation (Rev. 4:11), and providence (Dan. 4:35).

Father, it is good to live in unity. Thank You for the most excellent of pictures of unity, that of the Trinity. Since You have commanded unity among the brethren, you give the wherewithal to reach for and attain this precious position. Help me to strive for unity, not at the expense of doctrine, but in the practice and living out of doctrine.

Today’s Hymn

WHAT’ER MY GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT (Click here for tune.)
Words: Sam­u­el Rod­i­gast, 1676 (Was Gott tut, das ist wohl­ge­tan); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Cath­er­ine Wink­worth, 1863, and others. Ro­di­gast wrote this hymn to cheer his friend Gas­tor­i­us, pre­cent­or at Je­na, who had b­ecome ser­i­ous­ly ill. Gas­tor­i­us not on­ly re­cov­ered, but went on to write the tune for Ro­di­gast’s words.
Music: Gas­tor­i­us, Sev­er­us Gas­tor­i­us, 1675

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it

Read Today’s Passage Online

Thought Provoker

Though it is a seemingly trivial three-letter prefix, it packs a powerful punch and can hasten a positive situation into something rather unsightly. Agreement is good, but throw a little “dis” into the recipe and disagreement results. Advantage is favorable, but add a little “dis” and disadvantage occurs. Accord is harmonious, but insert a little “dis” and disaccord rules. Courage is noble, but toss in a little “dis” and discourage hinders. Order is wonderful, but attach a little “dis” and disorder prevails. Amazing what just a little “dis” can do in life.

Dad’s Study

Psalm 133 exalts the beauty and splendor of unity, realizing that the tendency of human nature is toward “dis” unity. It is a work of art, a picture of grandeur, when God’s people dwell together in unity or harmony or accord. Virtually nothing distorts and damages the body of Christ more than for believers to be at odds with each other, divided and defeated. Here in one of David’s “Songs of Ascents,” he compares the goodness and pleasantness of unity to two symbolic Old Testament experiences. First, he points the reader back to the ceremonial commencement of Aaron’s ministry as high priest, as the anointing oil is first poured upon the tabernacle, then the articles therein, followed by the altar, and finally, upon the head of Aaron. The symbolic gesture evidenced a setting apart, a sanctifying of each of these objects. So too for Aaron, as he was to be wholly set apart (hence the elongated description of the oil flowing from the head to the beard to the skirts of his garments) for the Lord’s work.

Then David turns to the dew of Hermon, that is, Mount Hermon, as a second wondrous picture of the goodness and pleasantness of unity. Throughout most of the year, snow covers these high-rising mountains of 9,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Because of this snow, even during the summer when the land areas around Mount Hermon (which in Deuteronomy 4:48 is equated with Mount Zion) are barren, the snow turns to vapor and deposits a heavy dew on the mountain, maintaining a rich, lush greenness. That dew sustains the vegetation, despite the lack of precipitation. David concludes this psalm of ascents with the blessing that flows from unity – God’s commandment of life evermore.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Truth in Practice

Family Worship

It is not by coincidence that David compares unity among God’s people with the high priest Aaron and his ceremonial anointing oil. The moment God saves us, He places us in the body of Christ, one that Peter calls a “priesthood of believers” (1 Peter 2:9-10). Though first promised to Israel, the promise is reclaimed for the church saints. The anointing oil was reserved for the high priest and priests alone. It was a special fragrance, which was not to be duplicated for any other purpose (Exodus 30:22-33). So too, the body of Christ is “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” For what purpose? “That ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Likewise, the sustaining dew that emanates from Mount Hermon, sustaining the vegetation even during dry times, pictures the sustaining joy God’s people can have, one with another, even when trial and hardship and persecution exist. One who has visited Alaska will well recognize the inviting, refreshing snow-capped mountains during the brief days of summer. Such is the reality of unity! It sustains and refreshes, even when the “dog days of summer” rear their ugly head.

What intrusions can seek to harm the unity of a local church? Which of these intrusions are truly a mountain and not a molehill? How could this “mountain” intrusion be handled in a God-honoring way, whereby unity of the brethren would be maintained? What image to the public is communicated when a local church is filled with disunity? What is God’s view of unity? Ephesians 4:3 – it’s commanded! What do the Scriptures instruct us to do with divisive people? See Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11. Unity – it’s that important! And like fragrant oil and sustaining dew, it’s that refreshing!

Pastor Jim Stevanus – Fellowship Baptist of Dublin, Ohio
Catechism Question : 8
Q. How does God execute his decrees?

A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation (Rev. 4:11), and providence (Dan. 4:35).